Descendant Machine by Gareth Powell – Book Review
When Nicola Mafalda’s scout ship comes under attack, she’s left deeply traumatised by the drastic action it takes to keep her alive. Months later, when an old flame comes to her for help, she realises she has to find a way to forgive both the ship and her former lover. Reckless elements are attempting to reactivate a giant machine that has lain dormant for thousands of years. To stop them, Nicola and her crew will have to put aside their differences, sneak aboard a vast alien megaship, and try to stay alive long enough to prevent galactic devastation.
Descendant Machine opens with the conceit that it is a report to an investigative committee, told by a sentient spaceship via the main players in the story; the ship themself, their navigator, and a highly lauded physicist, all of whom were involved in an ‘incident’ that resulted in multiple deaths and the restarting of a piece of giant alien technology. Thus begins a breakneck romp through parts of the galaxy that are so far flung even “outer reaches” doesn’t cover the distance.
Nicola Mafalda, one of the primary narrators of the story, is a wise-cracking, cussing, fist-swinging gem, who is written with the kind of no-nonsense attitude and joie de vivre that I aspire to in my every day life. She is undeniably human, despite being so far from the humans of our reality, and her down to Earth attitude brings a punchy and refreshing attitude reminiscent of the likes of Ellen Ripley. This is chiefly her story, as she navigates her way – literally and metaphorically – through a political and scientific minefield.
There are some very clear nods to our real world in the politics of Descendant Machine, such as the verbose and blustering leader of one faction, who claims he wants to push aside the corrupt elite and raise his people and planet to the greatness that they are owed. The novel leads us on a journey through such suggestions, to their logical conclusion, whilst making some fairly damning statements about the themes of selfishness and individualism that we see prevalent in current Western politics and beyond. Powell is not afraid to show his opinions of such isolationist ideas, and the prose rings with his damning of such injustices.
One aspect of The Continuance that I very much enjoy from Powell’s prose is the use of alien races. He doesn’t fall into the trap of making other species distinctly humanoid, and gives an absolutely shocking revelation about one of the major races in Descendant Machine partway through, that not only subverts a lot of the plot up to that point, but also makes you look anew at all the characters of that species.
Descendant Machine is set in the same universe as Powell’s earlier novel Stars and Bones, but is hugely accessible to readers new to the world he has created. His flowing prose guides the reader into the worlds of The Continuance, without being overbearing or condescending to those who haven’t encountered it before. As a stand alone novel Descendant Machine works superbly, which is a feat that benefits the reader greatly. There is enough backstory to explain The Continuance, and the novel also works to fill in gaps for readers who have already entered their world.
Descendant Machine is released by Titan Books on 11th April 2023. Forbidden Planet have signed copies available to order, or you can pick up a copy from your local bookshop
You can follow author Gareth Powell on Instagram or Twitter
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